Nagpur: The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has taken serious note of the delay in the four-lane expansion of the Nagpur-Katol road, holding the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), contractor Agarwal Global Infrastructure, and Joint Stock Company Industrial Association accountable. The court issued notices to all respondents on Wednesday, directing them to submit their response within two weeks.
The delay in construction has posed a severe threat to motorists, leading to fatal accidents due to the absence of proper safety measures. The respondents include the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Regional Manager of NHAI, the Principal Secretary of the State Forest Department, the Principal Secretary of the Public Works Department, and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, along with the contractors involved.
The matter reached the court through a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by two vigilant citizens, Dinesh Thakre and Sumit Babuta. The case was heard by Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Vrushali Joshi, while the petitioners’ lawyer, Advocate Mahesh Dhatrak, pointed out the negligence of the authorities before the court.
The contract for the road expansion was signed in September 2021 between NHAI and the contractors, with an expected completion date of August 2023. However, work remains incomplete, and construction has been at a standstill for the past six months. Advocate Dhatrak highlighted that while multiple road diversions have been created, no signboards have been placed at crucial points, leading to frequent fatal accidents.
The petitioners have urged the court to direct the completion of the project within three months, ensure the implementation of necessary safety measures, and take strict action against those responsible for the prolonged delay.
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